Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-21
INAUGURAL SPEECHES.
Continued from Fourth Page.


croac hment, such portions of these lands
as are not suitable for agricultural pur
poses, and susceptible of cultivation, OF
in demand for settlement, can be made
to contribute their quota OF rev.
enue to the support of the interests &c
which they were dedicated. The people
are certainly not realizing the benefits in.
tended by these munificent landed dona-
tons, and the public school system espe-
cially is becoming u grievous burden to
them. The injustice Of any proceedings
which enable corporations, largely com
posed of non-residents, who derive great
profits from the products Of their herds,
while contributing but small pittance
to the support OF our government, to ar
rogate to themselves the free use of these
lands. needs no argument.
Every citizen in the state has valua-
bic and appreciable interest in these spe-
Cial donations, as well as in unfolding
the SUPREMACY Of the laws as one of the
essentsI securities OF civilization; and
there sBould be stringent and resolute
Cealiu1 with all those who defy the eu-
sSlsoyffy OF the state. II it be known,
therefore, that there is an extent of power
and influence, as well as iXedness
CT purpose, on the part Of any por-
ton Of the community, representing any
special interest, which demonstrates that
the local Judicial machinery issinsdequate
to meet the emergency, which hes Get
: ed itself into an open defiance that strikes
az the very lii of the state while defraud-
ing the revenues Of these special funds,
and II existing laws do not possess aGe-
qugte punitive and remedial measures to
| prevent the use or Enclosure OF these pub
/ lie lands of any class for exclusive occG-
p4nCy, unless under the rights acquired
IS q lease holder or purchaser, make
them stronger and more vigorous, to be
promptly executed by u firm hand, and if
need be, with the forclbIe iDterpoSitiOn
Of the whole poWer of the state govern
ment.
While the executive should proceed to
the faithful ana impartial execution Of all
the laws ot the state, by the use OF all the
means placed IN his power, and which
NAV be necessary 10 that end, there is no
real, true safety to our liberties and in
stituti.ns but IN a strict adherence TO the
letter and spirit Of our laws; and there is
no danger 10 our peace AMI property
that We cannot easily escape, ii
we will cGnscientiously adhere to
them. lie should not, therefore, for
the want Of proper legislation, be
left with the alternative Of either seeing
these special funds defrauded of their
Rfust revenues, or OF becoming the SOY
eTeign Judge Of the emergency which
W uld arrant him in marching an armed
| forceintO any community to strike down
all civil law.
E9,There is never, under any circumstance,
any authority for him to break his oath or
violate the law, or to take from the pee
! pie, at his pleasure, that security of law
which is their birthrighi.
sIu monsrcbies, an appeal to sword is
fjustly called the last reason of kings.
tSuch an eXigeBCy is sign, not only Of
lsocial decentralization, but of bad admin
fssfsiion. If the people of our state can
only be relied upon as obedient citizens
when confronted by the soldier with his
hand upon the sword-hilt, we have, in
deed, fallen below the level Of contempt
from civilized people.
/ That no such exigenCy should arise, if
wise COunsels prevail, is apparent to any
one who is acquainted with the people of
| Texas. We claim to oe law abiding citi-
zens, and this claim is borne out by our
whole career as state and republic, and
it may be set down as a maxim, that If Sc
rious social disturbances should ever
arise with our people, resulting in q de-
fiance of lawful authority on the part of
any section or class, the primal cause, if
properly traced, will lead US back to de-
fective or unwise legislation.
If, in any portion of the state, our laws
relating TO public lands are detied and
set at paught, our first dGty is to re-ex-s
anime the laws, with the view of ascer-'
tanning what defects, if any, have pro-
duCed this condition of society; and,
upon discovery of any defect, to apply
remedy. Give the people just and whole
some laws, and they will not only obey
them, hut aid in their enforcement and
execution.
LIEUT.-GOV. wHEELER'S ADDRESS.
The eloquent address just delivered by
our distinguished executive would seem
to be all that could be required on this
occasion. The constitution has imposed
upon him, and on no other, the Guly of sug-
costing state policy. Ii would, there
fore, not only be indicate, but highly
improper. for me to express my views on
questions which VIII receive Your at
tention. 1t would be useless, eveA if
had the right and desired So to do, as
expect at all times aud under all cirGum-
stances, to wo in perfect harmony with
the administration.
l do not, therefore, come before Tou
with the intention of giving my views on
pending issues, or to detain you with
lengthy speech, but ] appear simply .ur
the purpose of complying with al esta5
lished custom.
fully realize that 1 occupy the least
important position among The state otf-
GERS. But feel that it il she duty of the
lowest, as VT II as of every other member
of the administration, to give to our Chief
L cheerful support, and L here pledge mn
fealty and promise to perform that duty
to the very best Of my ahslity. | know
that l am authorized in saying that the
other members of the administration will
also do all in their power 10 aid our wor-
thy and able executive in his efforts to
give to the people good government.
Al! true Texans have watched with
pride the advancement Of Texas. Within
the last twenty years, as if by magic,
she mas sprung from the twentieth to lhe.4
eighth class among the states of this great
Union. While we all rejoice in her great
prosperity and contemplate with pleasure
futu-e possibilities, We mustgf Lat
forget that as there ais aI
increase in wealth and popufationSI
the labors and responsibilities of those
who govern and legislate also increase. ~
We can better appreciate the work re-
quired and the responsibility assumed
when we think of the magnitude of the
state and the many interests which Will
demand attention. You have uLder your
control territory of more than PA, 900
square miles, being more than 700 miles
wide and more than 500 miles long.
This vast domain possesses within its